Systems and methods for a controllable release of power supply in a mobile device

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are disclosed for removing a power supply from a host unit running a computer program, without losing data or causing a cold boot. The present invention employs a retaining assembly for the power supply that delays removal of the power supply until shutting down of the computer program of the host unit. The system may further comprise a logic unit that estimates the period from initiating a power off for the unit, up to an actual shut down of the computer program.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject invention generally relates to power supply latchingmechanisms and ore particularly to systems and methods for controllablyremoving a power supply from a host unit that runs a computer program,without loss of data associated with the host unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Generally, portable or hand held electronic devices, such as cellularphones, laptop computers, bar code scanners and the like can include areplaceable and/or a rechargeable battery pack comprised of variousbattery cells. When one battery pack or a battery cell unit is depleted,it can be removed and replaced with another fully charged battery pack,with the depleted battery pack or unit being recharged or disposed of. Abattery pack can typically include a sealed enclosure which containsrechargeable batteries. Contacts on the exterior surface of the batterypack mate with contacts on the electronic device or interior terminalcontact, upon the battery pack being mounted on the electronic device.

Such battery packs employ various types of latching mechanisms toassemble with a host unit. One of the most common types of mechanisms isa simple plastic cantilever latch. This type of latch comprises acantilever or beam which is anchored at one end and carries a latchelement at the opposite end. The cantilever or beam is deflected inorder to engage or disengage the latch. For such mechanisms, longcantilevers are preferred over short cantilevers because longercantilevers allow for greater deflection, which in turn allows forgreater latch engagement. Moreover, in order to make the plasticcantilevers strong, it is often necessary to make them thick. Thickcantilevers require greater effort than thin beams to deflect. If lowefforts are desired, then the cantilever must be made thinner or longer.

An alternative to cantilever latches, are spring-loaded cam latches. Inthis type of latch, a metal leaf spring or coil spring is used to urge alatch member to an engaged position. The latch member often includes acamming surface which is engaged by an actuator element to move thelatch member to a disengaged position. Spring-loaded latches haveseveral advantages over cantilever latches. The metal springs provide asmoother, almost constant latch effort. It is easier to design latchmechanisms with the desired latch force, travel and feel without thetrade-offs of cantilever latches. The space requirements forspring-loaded latching mechanisms is often less than cantilever latches,which is important as electronic devices become smaller and moreportable.

Generally, it is possible that such latching mechanism disengage abattery, or a removable power supply, as a result of unintentional oraccidental circumstances. Such disengagement of a battery pack from ahost unit can increase a risk of damage to the host unit, as well as thebattery pack, and can also cause a loss of data. In particular, for manyelectronic devices that employ volatile memories or caches, a loss ofpower prior to a proper shut down of the unit can erase the memory andassociated computer programs, applications, and/or software.

One approach to mitigate a loss of data contained in a volatile cache isthe use of a supplemental battery to power the cache or other memoryelements. If a host system's power is lost, data contained within thecache is retained because memory continues to be powered by the battery.When system power is restored, the system resumes normal operation andvalid data still resides in the cache waiting to be written-back todisk. This solution is dependent upon the battery having power to retainthe memory in the cache for a period that the system has no power. Ifthe battery is exhausted during the interval when there is no systempower, data contained in the cache will be lost. Because battery poweris finite and memory circuits such as dynamic memory devices requirerefreshing at regular intervals, i.e. consuming power at a fairly highrate, special care must be taken that the battery has the capacity toretain the data. Nonetheless, batteries sometimes suffer fromreliability problems that may result in premature failure, so the lossof data in a battery-backed cache may still occur.

At the same time, as clock speeds for various electronic circuitsincrease and portable host units become ever increasingly adaptable tooperate with clients' proprietary applications and/or software, the timerequired for a proper shut down of the system, i.e. close of theassociated programs after an initial powering off, has increaseddramatically. As such, a battery removal from the host unit even afteran initial powering off, and before a proper shut down of the system,can still cause a loss of data and/or cold boot of the system to occur.Such a cold boot can create significant problems in the host unitsystems, for example by damaging the integrity of data files storedthereon or erasing a proprietary application and software.

Therefore, there is a need to overcome the aforementioned deficienciesassociated with conventional devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of one or more aspects of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It isintended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention,nor to delineate the scope of the present invention. Rather, the solepurpose of this summary is to present some concepts of the invention ina simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that ispresented hereinafter.

The present invention provides for methodologies and systems for aproper shut down of host unit(s) having a removable power supply, e.g. abattery cell. Such shut down minimizes a risk for host unit's data lossand/or cold boot and can occur during or prior to battery removal.

In one aspect of the subject invention methodologies and systems areprovided for detaching a battery from a host unit in a controlled mannerafter powering down of the unit. The system employs a latch/catchmechanism that enables a battery removal in several stages. Thelatch/catch retaining assembly is adapted so that after initiating apowering down for a host unit, there is ample time for a proper shutdown, (i.e. close of computer programs, applications, or the likewithout data loss), before removal of the battery or power supply.Accordingly, a risk for a cold boot and/or a power jolt for the hostunit is reduced.

One exemplary aspect according to the present invention provides forremoval of a battery pack in a dual stage, after initiating a poweringoff for the host unit. A latch/catch mechanism having movable latchmembers and catch elements is provided as part of the host unit. Suchmechanism is adapted for enabling a user to remove the battery packagefrom the host device in two stages. Initially, by pushing a button(s)operationally connected to a first movable latch member, the battery isreleased from a catch element to a certain extent, such that it stillremains operative with the host unit. In a second stage, by pressingsecondary latch member(s), the battery is detached and operatively fullydisengaged from the host device. Such dual stage mechanism induces adelay period in an operator's routine attempt to change battery, (e.g. 1sec.-3 secs.), which in turn allows the proper shut down of the hostdevice. Accordingly, a proper shut down occurs after initiating a powerdown and before the battery is operatively disengaged from the hostunit.

In another aspect of the present invention an attempted removal of abattery, before a powering off for the unit, triggers an auto shut downmechanism. Such auto shut down mechanism, in conjunction with the multistage removal procedure, can provide a necessary time delay for the unitto shut down properly before the battery is operatively disconnectedfrom the host unit. The auto shut down mechanism can comprise a switchthat is triggered upon the contact pins of the battery being slightlypulled out form their respective sockets in the host device.

In another aspect, the subject invention provides for a batterydisengagement procedure and assembly that is tied up and operativelycoupled to a software program, such as an application of the host unit.This is advantageous, for example, when an application employed by thehost unit requires a specific time delay period for its proper shut downafter initiating a powering down of the host unit. Thus, only after suchtime delay should the battery power disconnect from the unit. Otherwise,a cold boot of the host unit can occur.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the disengagementassembly provides for a locking mechanism of the battery compartment viaemploying an actuator and a sliding pin mechanism. When the host unit ispowered off, and upon the proper closing of the applications, thelocking mechanism is gradually released to unlock the batterycompartment and permit access to the battery. Such method ofdisengagement provides for a battery release from the host unit that isadaptable to the type of applications loaded on the host unit at thetime. Such adaptability proves advantageous should users employ theirproprietary soft ware and application with the host unit. For example, auser may employ the unit with an application that after powering off forthe unit requires a 10 second time frame to close properly and save therequired data. If the battery is operatively disconnected prior to 10seconds, a cold boot will occur. An emergency unlocking mechanism canalso provide access to the battery chamber in case the application orthe associated software program of the host unit fails, e.g. host unitfreezes.

In one aspect of the present invention, the emergency unlockingmechanism can be a mechanical latch and catch design that can be openedby inserting an object therein, e.g. by inserting a paper clip andunlocking the latch mechanism. Moreover, according to another exemplaryaspect of the present invention, an actuator assembly may be employed toeject the battery form the compartment upon pressing a button on thehost unit and after initiating a powering down.

According to another aspect of the present invention an artificialintelligence element is provided as part of the unlocking mechanism.Based on a host unit's application or computer program, an artificialintelligence element can provide an estimate for the time required toproperly shut down the host system after initiating a power off. Suchestimate can be based on prior instances that the unit has been poweredoff and the actual time it took for closing of all programs and propershut down of the unit. The time estimate can also be provided by anoperator to the host unit. The time estimate is subsequently supplied tothe unlocking mechanism for permitting access to the batterycompartment.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described. The followingdescription and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certainillustrative aspects of the invention. However, these aspects areindicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles ofthe invention may be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novelfeatures of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the invention when considered in conjunctionwith the drawings. Also, to facilitate the reading of the drawings, someof the drawings may not have been drawn to scale from one figure toanother or within a given figure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system that hosts a batterywith a multi-release mechanism according to an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a dual stage process for removing a battery cell froma host unit according to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a battery cell with features according to one aspectof the present invention.

FIG. 3 a illustrates an exemplary schematic of a system with anautomatic powering off mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system with a batteryrelease mechanism that is tied up to an application and/or softwareprogram being run by the host unit.

FIGS. 5 a & 5 b are schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary mechanismsfor extending/retracting a battery cell from its compartment uponreceiving a requisite stimulus in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a host system employing anartificial intelligence unit in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 a is a flow chart diagram illustrating an exemplary method inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7 b is a flow chart diagram that illustrates prior art methodology.

FIG. 8 a is a flow chart diagram illustrating an exemplary method inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 8 b is a flow chart diagram illustrating an exemplary methodemploying a logic unit in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for methodologies and systems for a proper shutdown of a host unit with removable power supply. The host unit employs apower supply locking and release assembly adapted to avoid loss of datafrom a cold boot and/or a power jolt, while removing the power supply.The invention can be applied to any portable electronic unit having aremovable power supply, such as a mounting battery. Examples of portableelectronic devices include; a portable hand scanner unit or bar codereader, transmitter, receiver, computer, personal electronic organizers,electronic navigation devices, and any electronic unit having anauxiliary battery power with a removable battery cell.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an exemplary schematic system isillustrated that hosts a battery coupled to a release mechanismaccording to one aspect of the present invention. The host unit 12 canhave an operating system 11 regulated by a powering off component 15that controls the host unit's power. The host unit 12 derives its powerfrom a battery unit(s) 10 contained within a housing 14. The operatingsystem 11 and an associated CPU (not shown) interact with a data storageassembly 17.

The data storage assembly 17 typically includes an array of memorycells, wherein each memory can be manufactured in accordance with a 1Mbit, 2 Mbit, 8 Mbit or similar storage cells and as a volatile memoryIC. Such memory cells can have two or more states corresponding tovarious levels of impedance. These states are set by applying a biasvoltage, and then the cells remain in their respective states untilanother voltage, in reverse bias, is applied. Accordingly, each memorycell of data storage 17 can be accessed or “read”, “written”, and“erased” with information. The memory cells maintain information in an“off” or an “on” state (e.g., storage is limited to 2 states), alsoreferred to as “0” and “1”. To store this information, a memory cell mayinclude a capacitor structure that permits storage of a charge allowingthe memory cell to keep a single bit of information. Such memory cellstypically employ a refresh signal to maintain the charge on thecapacitor and/or their information. Some examples of the memory storage17 are memory devices such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM),double data rate memory (DDR), flash memory, metal oxide semiconductorfield effect transistor (MOSFET), and the like.

The host unit 12 further comprises a battery housing 14 having a multistage release assembly that permits detaching battery 10 therefrom in acontrolled manner. The release assembly comprises the battery housing14, a first catch and latch mechanism, which can be positioned laterallyto the battery housing 14, and a second catch and latch mechanism 30.

The first catch and latch mechanism can include a pair of buttons 20extending from the exterior of the battery housing 14. The buttons 20can be fabricated from the same materials employed for fabricating thebattery housing 14 and can include various types of thermoset plastic orthermo plastic material, and the like. In addition, the buttons 20 canfurther include a flex spring sheet mechanism (not shown) attached tothe interior of the battery housing 14.

The buttons 20 can hinge on pins on their interior ends that contact thespring sheet mechanism, so that the spring sheet deflects when thebuttons 20 are displaced. The buttons 20 can be positioned in a cavityof the battery housing 14, e.g. an orifice, a channel and the like. Inone exemplary aspect, when the spring sheet is deflected, thecatch/latch mechanism of the buttons 20 release or catch a projection ofthe battery 10. The buttons 20 can also include cams or wheels rotatingon a shaft, at their ends that can deflect the flex spring sheet causingthe release or engagement of the projection on the battery unit 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates a dual stage process for removing a battery cell 22from a host unit 21 according to one aspect of the present invention.Upon inward squeezing of the buttons 20 as illustrated by the arrows 19,the first latch/catch mechanism is released. Subsequently, the batterycell 22 slides out of the host device 21 to a predetermined length, forexample ½″, and into an intermediate position as illustrated. Thispredetermined length is selected such that the battery cell 22 stillremains operatively coupled with the host unit 21, and thus stillprovides power thereto. Put differently, a sliding out of the battery 22to this intermediate position does not electrically disconnect the powerfrom the host unit 21. At this time, and when the battery cell 22reaches this intermediate position, the secondary latch/catch mechanism30 operates to withhold further sliding out of the battery from itscompartment. In one exemplary aspect according to the subject invention,the secondary latch/catch mechanism 30 can include a notch 32 mounted ona strip 34. The strip 34 can move perpendicular to a direction the strip34 is extended when pressed at the disc shaped area 35.

Upon the first latch/catch mechanism 20 being disengaged, the secondarylatch/catch mechanism 30, e.g. notch 32, engages with an edge 36 of thehost device 21, thus creating a reactive force that acts in a directionopposite to sliding direction of the battery cell 22. Such reactiveforce maintains the intermediate position for the battery 22. Bypressing a disc shaped area 35 on the strip 34, the strip 34 movesdownward and lowers the notch 32 from its engaged position. The discshaped area can, for example, act as a thumb pad when pressed by anoperator's thumb. The lowering of the strip 34 can continue until thenotch 34 disengages from its contact with the edge 36, thus allowingsliding out of the battery cell 22 from its compartment. During theperiod from releasing from the first latch/catch assembly anddisengagement from its second latch/catch assembly, the battery cell 22continues to provide power to the host unit 21.

According to one aspect according to the present invention, this dualrelease methodology provides for a time delay, which serves as a periodfor allowing the host unit 21 to properly shut down. Put differently,there exists a time lag or delay from the time the host unit 21 ispowered off, until the time that the unit closes all associatedapplications and/or software and actually shuts down. By delaying thebattery cell removal from the host unit 21 for duration longer than arequired shut down period, the subject invention provides for a propershut down of the host unit after initiating its powering off. Thisavoids a possible cold booting of the system that can arise from apremature withdrawal of the battery cell 22 from the host unit 21. Forexample, before associated applications and software programs have beenproperly closed and required data saved. The dual release methodologydelays battery removal for about one to three seconds. Longer delaytimes can be achieved by additional catch/release mechanisms or byemploying other aspects of the present invention as will be describedhereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a battery cell 40 removed from its compartmentis depicted. The battery cell 40 can be a rechargeable battery comprisedof a Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) Nickel-Cadmium (Ni—Cd), Nickel-Metal-Hydride(NiMH), Sealed-Lead-Acid (SLA), Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)). Battery cell40 can also be part of an array of battery cells assembled together aspart of a power unit in an electronic device. The battery cell 40 caninclude side latch features 42 that function as part of a lateralcatch/latch mechanism described earlier. A strip 44 having a wider widthat one end 45 is secured via a pin set 48 over a trough 46 being formedon a surface of the battery cell 40. The strip 44 can be fabricated froma conductive material such as copper, Aluminum or the like. At aselected section along the strip 44, the metal is curved to from a notch52 that acts as the secondary latch/catch mechanism described earlier.The pin set 48 secures the strip metal 44 such that it behaves as acantilever member extending over the trough 46. This allows for thestrip 44 to move downward at a substantially perpendicular direction tothe direction that the strip 44 extends. Upon exerting a down ward forceat 45, such as by pressing of a thumb, part of the strip 44 moves in tothe trough 46, thus lowering notch 52 and disengaging it from contactinga body of the host unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a safety switchingmechanism can be provided as to trigger the automatic powering off forthe host unit, should one attempts to remove the battery cell 40 withoutinitially having powered off the host unit. Such safety switchingmechanism for the host unit can be triggered, for example via a contactof a projection on the battery cell body with a lever, during slidingout of the battery sockets from the finger leads of the terminalinternal connector 47 of the battery compartment. Typically, positiveand negative battery sockets are engaged by resilient contact portionsof the positive and negative finger leads which project into the batterycell cavities. For example, such a resilient member for a peripheralconnector is shown as element 49 in FIG. 3. Similar elements (not shown)exist for the terminal internal connector 47 of the host unit.

FIG. 3 a illustrates an exemplary schematic system with a safetyswitching mechanism. The safety switching assembly 31 is coupled with apowering off mechanism 39, which in turn is operatively connected to aCPU 33 for regulating its powering off. Upon receiving a powering offnotification alert generated via the safety switching assembly 31, thepowering off component 39 is prompted for an immediate shutdown of CPU33 and saving of all required data into the data storage area. Thenotification alert can be in a form of a signal or a voltage change orany other electrical and/or mechanical stimulus. Such auto powering offfor the host unit, in conjunction with the dual release methodology forthe battery cell will lead to a proper shut down of the CPU unit 33,when an there is an unintentional attempt for battery removal.Accordingly, the illustrated system can provide for a time delay, forexample of about one to three seconds, which serves as a period thatallows proper shut down to take place for the host unit. Such assemblyprovides an improved latching mechanism that permits a batterydisengagement from a host unit with a time delay that is typicallyrequired for the proper shut down of the host unit. Accordingly, a coldboot that results in loss of system's data can be avoided. Desirabletime delays may also be achieved by a tie-up of the host system'sapplication and/or other software, with the battery release mechanism,as explained herein after.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary schematic is illustrated accordingto one aspect of the present invention. The illustrated latching system41 for detaching a battery 43 from a host unit 47 is tied up to anapplication and/or software program being run by the CPU 49 of the hostunit 47. For example an application employed by the host unit 47 mayrequire a ten second delay for its proper shut down. Accordingly, once apowering off for the unit has been initiated, a time delay of at equalten seconds is required before the latching system 41 releases thebattery 43 and operatively disconnects it from the host unit 47.Otherwise, a cold boot will occur.

The depicted CPU assembly 49 can include a volatile semiconductor memorysuch as the static random access memory (SRAM) which is characterized bylow power consumption and high memory cell density. The generation ofvalid logic signals and the retention of data in such integrated memorycircuits having volatile memory cells depend in part on maintenance ofpower supply voltage within specified limits. A sudden loss of voltage,e.g. through a removal of the battery cell 43 without proper shut downof CPU 49, will cause loss of any information stored in the memorycells, including programs and data. Although the loss of power does notnecessarily result in memory circuit damage, the loss of storedinformation requires that the memory be reloaded with programs and databefore processing can be resumed.

The battery cell(s) 43 is electrically connected to contacts on theinterior of the battery compartment 51 which mate with correspondingcontacts (not shown) on the electronic device 47 to supply it withpower. The battery pack 43 is designed to be removably mounted to theelectronic device 47. A latch mechanism 41 secures the battery pack 43to the host unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an actuator 53 isbeing operatively connected to the latch mechanism 41 of the batterycompartment 51. The battery compartment 51 can include a lid 55, whichcan be molded separately from the same material as the batterycompartment 51, e.g., plastic and subsequently hinged thereto. A latchcavity 57 is formed on a wall of the battery component opposite the wallthat the latching member 56 is attached. The purpose of the latch cavity57 is to accept the latching member 56.

In one aspect according to the present invention, the latch assembly 41comprises a latching member 56, as well as a latch cavity 57 formed on aside wall and operatively connected to an actuator 53. The actuator 53urges the latching member 56 to move between an extended position asillustrated and a retracted position (not shown). In the extendedposition, the latching member moves parallel to the lid 55 and through aretaining member 61 attached thereto. Once the latching member 56 is inthe extended position the lid 55, which permits access to batterycompartment 51 can not be opened. Put differently, in an extendedposition the latching member 56 passes through the retaining member andlocks into the cavity 44. Accordingly, the lid 55 can no longer beopened. In a retracted position (not shown), the latching member 56 isbeing retracted out of the cavity 57, as well as out of the retainingmember 61 attached to the lid. Thus, the lid 55 of the batterycompartment 51 can now be readily opened and the battery removed. It isto be appreciated that other mechanisms, such as electromagneticassemblies, e.g. a solenoid, or the like may be employed alone or incombination with the actuator 53 to gradually release battery 43 formits compartment 51.

The function of the actuator 53 can be tied up with the proper shut downof the applications and/or software associated with the host unit 47 andits CPU 49. For example, the actuator 53 can urge a retracted positionfor latching member 56 upon receiving a stimulus from the CPU 49alerting that the applications or soft wares of the host unit 47 havebeen properly shutdown. The stimulus can be in the form of a signal or avoltage change or any other electrical and/or mechanical impetus. Theactuator 53 is thus prompted to adopt a retracting status, upon thesystem being properly shut down. Thereafter, a removal of the batterycell from the host unit 47 does not create a cold boot of the system.The battery can then be manually removed by opening the lid 55.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the electronicdevice 47 can be supplemented with a mechanical emergency releaseassembly 63. Such emergency release mechanism 63 can be employed whenthe application and/or software associated with the host unit do notfunction as intended. This may occur for example as a result of a“freezing” of the system. If so, the latch assembly 41 can be disengagedby a mechanical procedure, for example inserting a paper clip via anopening provided as part of the release assembly 63. The inserted paperclip can then force the latch member 56 into a retracted position. Theemergency release system 63 can be designed such that it is not readilyaccessible as to avoid unintentional access to it.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b illustrate a battery compartment with a controlledlatching mechanism in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention. The battery compartment 64 is equipped with a pair ofactuators 68 that can eject the battery 61 from its compartment 64 uponreceiving a requisite stimulus. Such stimulus can be comprised of auser's request for removal of the battery pack, (e.g. by pressing abutton), in conjunction with a notification by the CPU indicating thatthe host unit has been properly shut down. Upon receiving the properstimulus the latch cavity adopts a retracted position as describedearlier, (i.e. the latching member is being retracted out of the cavityand the retaining member attached to the lid). Thereafter, asillustrated in FIG. 5 a the battery cell 61 is being pushed outwardlyvia a set of retracting/extending piston mechanism 66. After the battery61 is removed, the retracting/extending piston mechanism 66 can then beretracted to their original positions. It is to be appreciated thatother ejecting/retracting mechanisms may also be employed. For example,FIG. 5 b illustrates an exemplary retracting mechanism comprised ofcoils springs 67 that may be applied for retracting an ejected batteryback in to the battery compartment. The coil spring retracting mechanism67 may also be employed with various other extending structures that areactivated via an actuator.

In another aspect according to the present invention, and as illustratedin FIG. 6 the system employs an artificial intelligence unit 70operatively connected with the unlocking mechanism 72 and the CPU unit71 of the host device 74. The artificial intelligence unit 70 provides aconservative time estimate of a required period for a proper shut downof CPU 71 and associated application to take place, after host device 74is powered off. Such conservative estimate can, for example, be based onprior instances that the unit has been powered off and the time itactually took for closing of all application and proper shut down of theunit. During the normal use of host unit, such prior occasions ofperiods between powering off for the unit and actual shutting down ofthe system can be recorded by the logic unit and employed for derivingthe conservative time estimate. Such time estimate can also be providedby an operator to the host unit. The time estimates are subsequentlysupplied to the unlocking mechanism for operating access to the batterycompartment.

Referring now to FIG. 7 a, a flow chart illustrating a sequence ofevents according to one aspect of the present invention is illustratedand compared to conventional devices as illustrated in FIG. 7 b. Thesystem of FIG. 7 a employs a dual latch mechanism as described earlier.At 76 the host unit employing a removable battery cell is being poweredoff for battery replacement purposes. Subsequently, at 77 the firstlatch mechanism is disengaged and the battery cell slides to anintermediate position. At this intermediate position the battery cellcontinues to provide power to the host unit. While a user is trying todisengage the battery cell from a secondary latch mechanism, the actualshut down of the system occurs at 78. Next at 79, the user releases thebattery cell from a secondary latch mechanism. Such a methodologyprovides for an adequate time delay between releasing the first set oflatches at 77 and the second set of latches at 79. Such a delay periodcan exceed the time frame required from an initial powering off until aproper shut down of a host unit. Accordingly, removal of battery cell at80 from the host unit occurs at a time after the unit has been properlyshut down and a cold boot is avoided.

In prior art methodologies as illustrated in FIG. 7 b, typically due tothe simplicity of the associated applications and/or software, apowering off for the unit caused a rapid shut down of the system, (e.g.1 to 2 milliseconds). As such, there was no requirement for an inducedtime delay before removal of the battery cell.

While the exemplary method is illustrated and described herein as aseries of blocks representative of various events and/or acts, thepresent invention is not limited by the illustrated ordering of suchblocks. For instance, some acts or events may occur in different ordersand/or concurrently with other acts or events, apart from the orderingillustrated herein, in accordance with the invention. In addition, notall illustrated blocks, events or acts, any be required to implement amethodology in accordance with the present invention. Moreover, it willbe appreciated that the exemplary method and other methods according tothe invention may be implemented in association with a dual stagedbattery release latch illustrated and described herein, as well as inassociation with other systems, such as a multi-staged release latch orother apparatus not illustrated or described.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 a & 8 b, a flow chart and sequence of events isillustrated according to another aspect of the present invention forremoving a battery. The systems of FIGS. 8 a & 8 b employ a latchmechanism that includes an actuator as described earlier. In FIG. 8 a,at 82 a user requests a battery change, for example by pressing arespective button for ejecting the battery. Next and at 84, the unit isbeing powered down. The powering down of the system may occurautomatically upon request for a battery change, or performed manuallyby a user. Thereafter, at 86 a stimulus is provided to the latchmechanism and the application as well as other software associated withthe host unit is shut down at 88. Upon actual shut down and close of theassociated application and/or software, the latch mechanism will act onthe stimulus provided, and initiates disengagement of the battery cellfrom the catch/latch assembly at 90. Accordingly, the illustratedmethodology allows for a release of the battery that is tied up to theshut down of the associated application and/or designated software ofthe host unit. The release may further include automatically ejectingthe battery from its compartment.

In FIG. 8 b after a users request for battery change at 92, a logic unitassociated with the host device performs a conservative estimate 93 ofthe time duration required for a proper shut down of the application andthe associated software of the host unit. This conservative estimatecan, for example, be based on prior periods between the powering off forthe unit and the actual shutting down of the system during normal use ofthe host unit. It can also be based on the input provided by a user ofthe host unit requesting a predetermined time delay between powering offand battery ejection. Next, at 94 powering down is initiated for thehost unit and its processor. Thereafter, at 95 a stimulus is provided bythe logic element to the latch assembly. The application and/orassociated software properly shut down at 96, after which the latchmechanism is opened at the end of the period estimated by the logicunit. Accordingly, such exemplary aspect of the subject inventionprovides for a flexible time period that can be adaptable to therequirements of the system. This typically assures that the system willnot undergo a cold boot or lose data as a result of a power jolt fromremoval of the battery cell(s).

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect tocertain illustrated aspects, it will be appreciated that equivalentalterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the artupon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexeddrawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems,etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describesuch components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated,to any component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs thefunction in the herein illustrated exemplary aspects of the invention.In this regard, it will also be recognized that the invention includes asystem as well as a computer-readable medium having computer-executableinstructions for performing the acts and/or events of the variousmethods of the invention.

In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have beendisclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, suchfeature may be combined with one or more other features of the otherimplementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given orparticular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms“includes”, “including”, “has”, “having”, and variants thereof are usedin either the detailed description or the claims, these terms areintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising”.

1. A system for controllably releasing a power supply, comprising: ahost device that employs a computer program while powered by a removablepower supply; and; a retaining assembly operatively coupled to the hostunit for accepting the removable power supply, the retaining assemblyadapted to delay release of the power supply from the host device untilat least a shut down of the computer program.
 2. The system of claim 1,the retaining assembly adapted to release the power supply after theshut down of the computer program.
 3. The system of claim 1, theretaining assembly adapted to release the power supply without cold bootand a loss of data associated with the host unit.
 4. The system of claim1, the computer program is an application program for the host unit. 5.The system of claim 1, the power supply is a battery.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, the host device is at least one of a portable scanner and acomputer.
 7. The system of claim 1, the retaining assembly comprises atleast one of an actuator and a solenoid.
 8. The system of claim 1further comprising an artificial intelligence for providing a stimulusto the retaining assembly.
 9. The system of claim 1 further comprisingan automatic shut down mechanism as to initiate a shut down of the hostdevice.
 10. The system of claim 1 further comprising an emergencyrelease assembly for releasing the removable power supply.
 11. A batteryrelease mechanism, comprising: a battery receiving compartment beingpart of a host unit that runs a computer program; and, at least onebattery latch or catch structure operatively connected to the batteryreceiving compartment and adapted to delay release of a battery until onor after a shutdown of the computer program.
 12. A battery releasemechanism according to claim 11, the at least one catch or latchstructure comprises a notch being engaged with a side of the releasemechanism.
 13. A battery release mechanism according to claim 11, the atleast one catch or latch mechanism releases the battery in two stages.14. A method for controllably releasing a power supply from a hostdevice comprising: providing a host unit employing a computer programwhile powered by a removable power supply; and providing a retainingassembly operatively coupled to the host unit for accepting theremovable power supply, the retaining assembly adapted to delay releaseof the power supply from the host until at least a shut down of thecomputer program.
 15. A method for controllably releasing a power supplyfrom a host unit comprising: providing a host device with a logic unitand a power supply retaining assembly; initiating a powering off for thehost device; sending a stimulus from the logic unit to the power supplyretaining assembly for initiating release of the power supply; delayinga release of the power supply until at least a shut down of a computerprogram associated with the host device.
 16. A method according to claim15, sending the stimulus prior to initiating the powering off for thehost device.
 17. A method according to claim 15 further comprisingejecting the power supply from the retaining assembly via an actuator.18. A method according to claim 15 further comprising estimating via alogic unit a time for shut down of the computer program from poweringoff for the host device.
 19. A system for controllably releasing a powersupply, comprising: a host device that employs a computer program whilepowered by a removable power supply; and; means for retaining the powersupply being operatively coupled to the host unit for accepting theremovable power supply, the means adapted to delay release of the powersupply from the host device until at least a shut down of the computerprogram.